St. Lucia’s Day is a holiday named after Saint Lucy of Syracuse, also known as Saint Lucia. It is celebrated in Sweden on December 13. Lucia was a wealthy young Christian martyr who is venerated as a Saint by Catholic and Orthodox Christians. At an early age she vowed herself to God. When she rejected a pagan suitor, he denounced her during the persecutions under Diocletian. She is the patron saint of blindness. Throughout Sweden the feast day of Lucia, is celebrated as the Festival of Light. Before dawn, young girls dress in a white gown with a crown of evergreen leaves and candles glowing. They awaken their families with a traditional Lucia song and serve them hot coffee and sweet saffron buns.